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Windows 7: System Recovery Image

I can see that there is a lifetime of information about recovery images so this has probably been covered.

I have my system set up and running exactly the way I want it. Can I create a system Image on a set of disks that will recover/restore/re-do my system right back to the way it is? Given an epic failure, beyond repairable, is there a way to image my setup so that i can basically reformat my drive with a system that is identical to the way it is now. I don't care about data files, just program files and system settings.

If easier, just refer a link if this has already been covered in another thread.

I can see that there is a lifetime of information about recovery images so this has probably been covered.

I have my system set up and running exactly the way I want it. Can I create a system Image on a set of disks that will recover/restore/re-do my system right back to the way it is? Given an epic failure, beyond repairable, is there a way to image my setup so that i can basically reformat my drive with a system that is identical to the way it is now. I don't care about data files, just program files and system settings.

If easier, just refer a link if this has already been covered in another thread.

Thanks

Hello Evols,

I would recommend to create a system image on a separate HDD for the best reliability of a restore from it. CDs or DVDs are just not as reliable. A scratch one just one of them could ruin the whole image.

Hello Bare Foot Kid and Brink, thanks for your recommendations. I've actually already downloaded a copy of Macrium and I've also browsed through both of those threads, Brink. I would like to create a backup on both Disk and alternate drive.

My operating system is on a drive that also has about 500GB's of movies and other various data on it. I really only want to image the portion of the drive that is required for operations. Should I then be creating a partition that is designated for my operating system only and a separate partition for my data?

If I create an operating partition, will I then be able to use Marcrium to create a bootable image of my operating partition?

I'm sorry if this info is already in those threads and I'm just not extracting it. My knowledge and ability is limited. I understand what those threads are asking me to do but I'm just not sure if it accomplishes my goal.

Remember redundancy is your friend, I would suggest creating separate back-ups and images and storing them on external Hard Disk Drives, especially data you need to safe-guard.

Using image programs like Macrium require the use of a bootable recovery CD you must create using the program, to boot the PC to lay down the image; I'm sure Wolfgang mentions that in his tutorial; be sure to create the disk and to keep it in a safe place.

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